On Wednesday, the United States Women’s National Team announced the roster for the upcoming January camp. Within the 25-player roster was a lot of excitement. After all, head coach Vlatko Andonovski chose a group that features a handful of veterans mixed in with a batch of younger talent from the NWSL and beyond. The addition of two-time Hermann Trophy winner Jaelin Howell, who will suit up as a rookie with Racing Louisville in 2022; Gotham FC’s Margaret Purce rejoining after being left off the 2021 Olympic roster; and the return of Sam Mewis who missed the end of the 2021 NWSL season with injury. All exciting stories, but one stands out from all the others. Trinity Rodman makes her first senior national team call-up. Now, it’s time to make her a permanent piece of the U.S. Women’s National Team senior roster.
MVP Argument
In the 2021 NWSL season, then 18-year-old Rodman was selected second overall, to the Washington Spirit. What followed was nothing short of historic. Rodman began her professional career coming in as a substitute in the first match of the Challenge Cup. Within five minutes of being on the field, Rodman’s highlight reel began.
Since then, Rodman appeared in all 22 NWSL regular season matches, starting 19. Rodman amassed six goals and five assists in that period. There’s a strong case that the 2021 Rookie of the Year should have also been in contention for the 2021 NWSL MVP. Compare Rodman to 2021 MVP Jess Fishlock and Rodman leads not only in goals and assists but also in interceptions (35 to 20) and possession-winning tackles (25 to 20). Oh yeah, Rodman outperformed in one less regular season match than Fishlock too.
All-in-all, Rodman should have gone the way of basketball star Candace Parker in winning not just the Rookie of the Year but the MVP in their first season. That’s just the regular season too. Rodman didn’t stop in the playoffs.
Rodman led the Washington Spirit to their first NWSL Championship. In the semi-finals, Rodman scored on Fishlock’s OL Reign to tie the match at one, with the Spirit ultimately winning off a 68th minute goal by midfielder Ashley Sanchez. Then, in the title game against the Chicago Red Stars, Rodman sent in a perfectly floated cross into the charging head of defender Kelley O’Hara, securing the game-winning goal in the 2-1 extra time thriller.
The Choice is Clear
Simply put, Rodman’s proved herself more than anybody and deserves a spot in the U.S. Women’s National Team. So much so that U.S. Soccer is already awarding her without having a single senior cap to her name. U.S. Soccer named Rodman the 2021 U.S. Young Player of the Year.
Andonovski’s goal with January’s camp is to give younger names the chance to prove themselves. The usual names of Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Christen Press have the camp off for rest. Also, Carli Lloyd is officially retired, leaving an open spot. Rodman’s spot.
Unfortunately, there are no matches included in this camp for Rodman to gain that first senior cap. That will come next month, during the SheBelieves Cup from February 17 to 23, where Rodman should take part. There’s only one sound argument for not promoting Rodman to the senior team – other USA obligations.
This year is the 2022 U-20 Women’s World Cup. Rodman was supposed to take part in the 2020 version of the international tournament, but the competition was cancelled due to COVID-19. Maybe Andonovski wants Rodman to take part in the international competition that runs from August 10-28.
Realistically, Rodman’s name should be on the 2023 World Cup roster. To prepare, add Rodman to the senior team that’ll compete in the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship. The top teams from that tournament qualify for the 2023 World Cup in Australia.
There is one question about the location and Rodman’s eligibility. It could change, but currently Australia requires full vaccination to enter the country. Rodman, and others, opted out of the national team’s fall trip to Australia for offseason friendlies. There’s no confirmation of why, but Australia wouldn’t allow any players that were unvaccinated into the country.
Gaining chemistry with the senior team is more important than a youth tournament. Not including Rodman in summer qualifiers is potentially a sign of future World Cup selection. If Rodman plays in the U-20 Women’s World Cup, she’ll dominate that tournament too.
In one year, Rodman’s cemented herself as a top player in not only the NWSL, but the world. Now it’s time for U.S. Soccer to join the party.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more the world of soccer. Thomas Costello is on Twitter too. Follow him @1ThomasCostello.
